ARISE+ IPR supported ASEAN officials at the Advanced InterGItraining in Gruyere, Switzerland

The ARISE+ IPR team supported IP officials from Cambodia and Lao PDR to attend the Advanced InterGI training on “The collective management of quality for Geographical Indications”, taking place from 23-28 September 2019 in Gruyere, Switzerland. The training was jointly organized by CIRAD, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, and REDD, a training and consultancy organisation based in Switzerland that supports sustainable agriculture through engagement with food producers and consumers.

Designed for professional with prior experience on GIs, the focus of the training was ‘collective management of a GI or origin-based quality product’, where participants learnt the roles and functions of the collective organization for the management of GI, as well as the steps needed to create such an organization, etc. The training was reinforced with case studies on Gruyère cheese Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO).

A Geographical Indication (GI) is sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. GIs are considered a useful tool for economic growth and sustainable development, particularly in rural areas. They help foster new markets by directing consumers to identify the distinct qualities of local products, ensuring certain quality standards are met by producers.